5 best U-16 prospects for the Indian Football Senior Team

#1 Aman Chetri

Aman Chetri remains India’s biggest hope, despite a quiet tournament

He shares a surname (almost) with Sunil Chhetri, and its almost surreal how similar Aman is to the Indian captain on the pitch. While Sunil Chhetri has become more of a playmaker as he ages, watching Aman Chetri is already like watching Sunil in his prime – there’s very little doubt that this boy will be the star of Indian football for years to come.

It’s telling that there is a feeling amongst fans of Indian football that Aman Chetri underperformed in the AFC U-16 Championships. The forward is incredibly intelligent with his runs off the ball, working the channels and ensuring that the defenders have a torrid time, eerily reminiscent of Luis Suarez’s style of play for Barcelona.

Despite not being the tallest and facing defenders stronger that him, Aman displayed excellent technique and hold up play when playing the target man, often bringing others into play. He has all the qualities of a modern striker and then some, and the 4000 that witnessed his only goal in the tournament against Saudi Arabia will look back fondly when Aman racks up more goals for the Indian side.

The future is bright.